y o u rn e a rt

The harsh reality: Heart disease is the No.

1

killer of women. The

heartening truth: It’s almost entirely preventable. Here’s what you

can do to reduce your risk— starting today.

by DOUG DONALDSON photos KATHRYN GAMBLE food styling JENNIFER PETERSON

They call heart disease the silent killer for a reason.

“It’s challenging to prevent because you don’t feel it,” says Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, a spokeswoman for the

American College of Cardiology and author of

Slay the Giant: The Power o f Prevention in Defeating Heart

Disease.

“By the time you have chest pain or shortness of breath, the process is incredibly advanced.”

However, unless you have a congenital condition or genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease, for

the most part you are in control of your heart health. You can dramatically lower your risk—by

80

percent—with diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. On the following pages, nutrition experts, doctors,

and scientists offer proven strategies to keep cardiovascular disease at bay.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

FEBRUARY 2010 1 8 5

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HEALTH

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AMI

FAMILY

208

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MONEY

218